One of English football’s most decorated defenders is taking his trophy-laden career to Serie A. John Stones is heading to Inter Milan, with approval on contract terms confirmed. The deal runs until June 2028 with no option for a further year, at a salary of around €4m net per season, with Stones set to undergo a medical in Milan soon. As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, the move is official, bringing to a close a remarkable ten-year chapter at Manchester City.
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Who is John Stones?
Born on 28 May 1994 in Barnsley, England, Stones has developed into a versatile defender under Pep Guardiola, capable of playing as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder. His composure on the ball and ability to build play from the back have made him an essential tactical asset for both club and country.
Before Manchester City, Stones began his senior career at Barnsley, making his debut against Reading in March 2011. He made 28 appearances for the club before transferring to Everton on the final day of the January 2013 window.
Stones spent a decade at Manchester City after arriving from Everton for £47.5 million in 2016, a deal that made him the world’s second-most expensive defender at the time.
On the international stage, Stones has earned 93 caps for England and was part of the Three Lions squad that secured a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup.
Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | John Stones |
| From | Manchester City (Free Agent) |
| To | Inter Milan |
| Transfer Fee | Free Transfer |
| Contract Until | 30 June 2028 |
| Annual Salary | €4m Net Per Season |
| Extension Option | None |
| Age | 32 |
| Nationality | English |
| Position | Centre-Back / Defensive Midfielder |
| Height | 6ft 2in (1.88m) |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| England Caps | 91 |
Career Timeline
| Club | Years | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Barnsley (Youth) | 2000–2011 | Local academy development |
| Barnsley | 2011–2013 | Senior debut vs Reading |
| Everton | 2013–2016 | 95 senior appearances |
| Manchester City | 2016–2026 | 295 apps, 10 years, 21 titles |
| England | 2014–Present | 91 caps, 3 goals |
| Inter Milan | 2026–2028 | Free Transfer — Confirmed |
A Decade at Manchester City
Stones went on to make 295 appearances for the club, contributing 19 goals and nine assists while helping City assemble one of the most decorated trophy hauls in English football history: six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
He became regarded as one of the best footballers in the world after playing a leading role as both a solid defender and creative force in the Treble-winning season.
His final season at the club brought one last piece of silverware — an FA Cup winners’ medal — before he departed as a free agent on 1 July 2026, leaving behind a squad now being rebuilt under new manager Enzo Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana.
Major Honours at Manchester City
Throughout his career, John Stones won 21 titles: FA Cup (2025/2026, 2022/2023, 2018/2019), Premier League (2023/2024, 2022/2023, 2021/2022, 2020/2021, 2018/2019, 2017/2018), Champions League (2022/2023), EFL Cup (2025/2026, 2020/2021, 2019/2020, 2018/2019, 2017/2018), UEFA Super Cup (2023/2024), FIFA Club World Cup (2023), and Community Shield (2024/2025, 2019/2020, 2018/2019) with Manchester City.
| Trophy | Times Won |
|---|---|
| Premier League | 6 |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 |
| FA Cup | 3 |
| EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) | 5 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 |
| Community Shield | 3 |
| Total | 21 Trophies |
The 2025/26 Season: A Difficult Final Campaign
Stones made just 16 appearances for City this past season because of fitness issues. Sky Sports noted he was limited to only 439 Premier League minutes last season due to thigh, calf and muscular injuries, and it added he only played 547 minutes in another disrupted campaign before that.
Despite those injury concerns, Stones remained a trusted figure whenever fit. The veteran dealt with a number of injuries in recent years, but the Nerazzurri were encouraged with what they saw from him in the World Cup.
2025/26 Season Stats (Manchester City — Premier League)
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 7 |
| Minutes Played | 439 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Average Rating | 6.67 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
How the Deal Came Together
The move caps a whirlwind month for the England international, who arrived at the 2026 World Cup as a free agent with no club to call home.
Reports throughout early July had the defender being offered to Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter, with all three Serie A clubs reportedly hesitant due to his wage demands and lingering injury concerns. Juventus made contact with the England defender’s camp over the weekend. He also had interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League. Inter were aware of the significant interest and worked to close a deal for the 32-year-old.
After testing the waters a couple of weeks ago, Inter decided to pursue John Stones and quickly came to terms on a two-year contract with the defender. Juventus and a few English sides were also attached to him too, but the Scudetto holders faced little resistance when they sprinted to snag him.
The World Cup Factor
Stones’ performances at the 2026 World Cup proved decisive in convincing Inter to push ahead with the deal. The veteran dealt with a number of injuries in recent years, but the Nerazzurri were encouraged with what they saw from him in the World Cup.
England reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup before losing to Spain, and then fell 6-4 to France in the third-place match. The salary of around €4 million net per season is a significant step down from what Stones would have commanded at his peak years ago, and reflects the pragmatic approach he and his representatives have taken to securing the right footballing move.
Contract Details
The 32-year-old has opted to join Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan, with an agreement now in place over contractual terms — a deal running until June 2028 with no option of a further 12 months, and a salary worth around €4 million net per season.
The two-year deal without an extension option reflects both the stage of Stones’s career and Inter’s preference for a defined, structured commitment rather than an open-ended arrangement, with the Italian champions understood to have identified the 32-year-old as an immediate fit.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Contract Type | Free Transfer |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Contract Until | 30 June 2028 |
| Extension Option | None |
| Annual Salary | €4m Net |
| Previous Salary at City | £250,000/week (~£13m/year) |
| Medical | Imminent — Milan |
Clubs That Missed Out
The 32-year-old former Manchester City defender has verbally agreed to join Inter Milan on a two-year deal, fending off interest from Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea in the process. For Arsenal and Chelsea, missing out on Stones means both clubs will likely pivot to other defensive targets before the transfer window closes. Chelsea’s need for centre-back depth under Alonso remains pressing, while Arsenal’s interest was reportedly more exploratory.
| Club | Interest | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Active | Missed out |
| Chelsea | Active | Missed out |
| Juventus | Contact Made | Missed out |
| Inter Milan | Decisive Push | Deal Confirmed |
What Stones Brings to Inter
John Stones is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted defenders in world football. A product of Barnsley’s academy, he has built a trophy-laden career at Manchester City and become a mainstay for the England national team.
The move sees the centre-back depart English football for the first time in his senior career, having made over 300 appearances across Barnsley, Everton and Manchester City.
Stones will join a squad that won the Serie A title in 2025/26 under Simone Inzaghi, who has since departed for Real Madrid. The 32-year-old’s ball-playing ability, positional intelligence and top-level European experience make him a perfectly structured addition for the Nerazzurri’s defensive unit.
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FAQs
How much did Inter Milan pay for John Stones?
John Stones has verbally agreed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer, beating out Arsenal and Chelsea for the England World Cup defender. His contract at Manchester City expired on 30 June 2026, making him available at no cost.
How long is John Stones’ contract at Inter Milan?
The deal runs until June 2028 with no option for a further year.
How much will Stones earn at Inter Milan?
Stones will undergo a medical in Milan soon and will be on a salary of €4m (£3.4m) per season. This represents a significant pay cut from his £250,000 per week at Manchester City.
Why did Stones leave Manchester City?
The centre-back was Pep Guardiola’s second signing at Man City in 2016 and ended up exiting the club at the same time following the end of the 2025-26 season. With Enzo Maresca rebuilding the squad, Stones’ contract expired and he chose to move abroad for the first time in his career.
What trophies did Stones win at Manchester City?
Stones brings with him a wealth of experience, having helped Man City win six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, and the Club World Cup, among other trophies — a total of 21 titles across a decade at the Etihad Stadium.
